When you need reliable rust and corrosion resistance without the high cost of specialty alloys, zinc plating is the industry standard. Zinc is a widely available, highly effective plating that provides a thin, protective barrier for standard steel fasteners.

Since 1988, U-Bolt-It has provided high-quality, certified-engineering coating services. Our in-house zinc plating services deliver a bright, decorative finish—available in both shiny, silvery "clear zinc" or golden "yellow zinc." By applying a low-stress, uniform deposit that conforms perfectly to the substrate, we ensure your fasteners are protected from moisture and oxidation in a wide range of industrial and outdoor applications.

Zinc Coating Bolt

What Are the Benefits of Zinc-Coated Fasteners?

Zinc provides a highly effective sacrificial coating. This means that if the coating is damaged, scratched, or punctured, the zinc will preferentially tarnish and corrode first, sacrificing itself to protect the underlying steel substrate. Key advantages include:

  • Highly Cost-Effective: Offers a highly acceptable level of strength and corrosion resistance for non-specialty applications at a fraction of the cost of stainless steel.
  • Eco-Friendly Protection: Zinc is a much more environmentally friendly coating option compared to heavy metals like cadmium.
  • Flexible & Ductile: The plating is highly ductile, allowing it to contour perfectly to the shape of complex threads and hardware without damaging the substrate.
  • Aesthetic & Functional: Provides a bright, decorative finish that acts as an excellent barrier against moisture, while also serving as a highly effective adhesive undercoat for paints.

What Hardware Can Receive Zinc Plating?

Because zinc plating applies uniformly and evenly in large batches, it is the ideal solution for both massive bulk orders and short custom runs. We provide in-house zinc plating for:

  • Bolts & Screws: Hex Head Cap Screws, Bolts, Custom Bent Bolts, Eye Bolts, Screws.
  • Specialty Hardware: Standard U-Bolts, Custom U-Bolts, Studs.
  • Nuts & Washers: Hex Nuts and Washers.

Applications of Zinc Coating

Zinc plating is the go-to choice for screws and fasteners that will be exposed to moderate corrosive conditions. We regularly supply zinc-coated hardware to the following sectors:

  • Automotive & Transportation
  • Construction & Infrastructure
  • Electrical & Industrial Manufacturing
  • Defense & Military
  • Consumer Products & Outdoor Furniture

Frequently Asked Questions About Zinc Plating

What is the difference between clear zinc and yellow zinc?

Both are zinc electroplating processes, but they utilize different chromate conversion finishes. "Clear zinc" offers a shiny, silver-like appearance, while "yellow zinc" provides a golden, iridescent finish. Yellow zinc typically offers a slightly thicker chromate layer, providing a marginal increase in overall corrosion resistance.

Is zinc plating better than stainless steel?

It depends on the application and budget. Stainless steel is an alloy where the corrosion resistance is built into the metal itself, making it superior for highly aggressive environments (like saltwater or heavy chemicals). However, for general outdoor, automotive, or industrial use, zinc plating offers an excellent, highly cost-effective alternative that still provides robust rust protection.

Is zinc coating environmentally friendly?

Yes. Compared to other sacrificial barrier coatings like cadmium, zinc is a widely available, naturally occurring element that is significantly more environmentally friendly to apply, use, and recycle.

Why choose U-Bolt-It for your coated fasteners?

Because we manage our zinc-plating process entirely in-house, we control the quality, the finish, and the turnaround time. Whether you need standard clear zinc hex nuts or custom-machined yellow zinc U-bolts, our engineering team ensures your hardware meets strict industry standards. Contact a member of the U-Bolt-It team today to get a quote on your next batch of premium coated fasteners.

"We feel really happy working with you guys, it has been a short time business relationship but definitely we’ve received such a great service from your company that would be nice to keep working together. Junior is our contact point and there’s nothing but great things to say about his attentions. By the way, I truly loved the microfiber cloth. I’m always have a hard time to clean my glasses; I can use the one from U-bolt it without applying any liquid and just leaves them super clean. We appreciate your excellent service and looking forward to new projects. Kind regards and have a wonderful rest of the week."

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"Our buyer received a letter from your company regarding an order I put in for some 3” stainless steel U-Bolts. I just wanted to thank you for the kind letter and let you know that your U-Bolts have been completely invaluable to us. We use them in the manufacturing process of an extremely sensitive product. Our previous U-bolts were zinc plated, therefore they became rusted too easily and risked the quality of the product. We hadn’t been able to find another U-bolt supplier with our specific size requirements (without going custom) until I came across your website! We are very grateful for the quality product you have sent us. We will definitely continue to use your company and the services provided."

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"Debbie here from KKW in Mukwonago WI, just got the big u-bolts they look real good. They should work good for my project."

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K.

"I wanted to say how helpful it was to be able to order small quantities of screws from your business. As a start up business, without an established presence, it is virtually impossible to get small quantities of screws as samples. When we go into production, we will be ordering millions of screws, but we need to know that the same screws we test with our prototypes will be available at bulk prices at that time."

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